Inside British fascism spent with some of the most vicious thugs in Europe.
The most substantial part of the book is an account of the development of British fascism, the relationship between the more 'upfront' nazis and those who seek to hide behind "respectable' racism, the "votes versus boots' debates, the re-emergence of "Strasserite' radicalism - and, last but not least, the commitment of the far right to violence and terrorism.
One of Hill's most amazing revelations is the plot by fascists to attack the 1981 Notting Hill carnival, with the intention of provoking a response from the black community and a massive racial conflict. Hill was able to alert Searchlight and thwart this plot.
Ray Hill was a leading figure in the British Movement, which he helped The 'master race' in action: Hill built up his reputation with the young thugs
destroy through a carefully planned disruption programme. He was later a leading figure in John Tyndall's British National Party. It is a feature of far right groups that membership is fluid and often overlapping. Hill was able to operate in a variety of groupings.
He paints vivid pen pictures of many leading fascists — especially their grossly inflated self-esteem, their back biting, their petty rivalries and faction fighting which helped so much the task of disrupting their organisations.
Many anecdotes reveal a world which is both horrifying and amusing a paranoid world of endless conspiracy and violence.
Hill built up a solid fascist reputation — especially with the young street thugs. He was always ready to make the most rabble rousing speech,
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Tyndall's attempt to launch his British National Party as a party of the 'respectable racist right' was sabotaged by Hill making an openly nazi speech at its founding conference — much to Führer Tyndall's discomfort, but to the approval of the British Movement skinheads Hill had brought along
Ray Hill's book gives a unique insight into the workings of the twilight world of British fascism. If you want to know which nazi leader was known as 'the milkman'. which devotes most of his time to looking after his aged mother, what Column 88 is, which nazi martyr was helped through his hunger strikes by Complan — or just why 'an ordinary working man' became a fascist, then this is the book for you
This book makes a valuable contribution to our knowledge
Carlos Guarita/Reflex
and understanding of British fascism, and how people are attracted to it. By exposing its intrinsically violent and utterly sordid character it makes an important contribution to fighting it.
However, there is an important omission, especially considering the period it covers, namely an assessment of the Anti-Nazi League. The